We use a system of monitoring duties using excel, with spreadsheets that
are protected with passwords to modify by certain personnel.  

The worksheets within are password protected to prevent deletion of
formula in certain locked cells/columns.  Other cells are not locked
allowing editing by authorised users.
However, the autofilter function doesn't work (unless unprotected),
which is essential to allow duty managers to filter out the staff
quickly and effectively.

It will work with protected sheets if the contents tab is deticked when
protecting the worksheets, but this then allows columns with formula in
to be deleted, and is the whole reason for us protecting these cells
and the formula.

Don't know what else to try, any help would be appreciated.

Regards

Andy